I find there’s something fascinating about haunted houses—the way they hold secrets in their walls, twist reality, and become entities of their own… Most of the time, living and breathing monsters. These books take you through eerie hallways, creepy atmospheres, and ghostly encounters that I’ve enjoyed over the years.
House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski
A house that’s bigger on the inside than it is on the outside—this premise alone is enough to unsettle you. I’ve read this novel multiple times, and each experience felt entirely different; it’s one of those rare literary mazes where the author steps back, leaving you alone to navigate its twisting passages. You’re left searching for your own answers in a book that is itself a puzzle. Creepy, disorienting, and uniquely formatted—Danielewski even did the typesetting himself. I can’t recommend it enough; this easily makes my top three books that I wish I had written.
The Spite House by Johnny Compton
Before picking this up, I had no idea what a spite house was—but curiosity led me here. This gothic tale captivated me, especially the deep love between Eric and his daughters, Dess and Stacy. There’s something delightfully old-fashioned about a protagonist responding to a mysterious newspaper ad, reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier’s works in atmosphere. Highly recommended for a cozy, under-the-blankets read, especially if it’s raining outside.
House with the Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
This was my first dive into Southern Gothic, and I enjoyed it. A creepy story with ladybugs, vultures, a rose garden, and a mysterious grandmother—what’s not to love? Kingfisher’s writing is so intimate, it felt like a friend was telling me this story over coffee. Definitely recommended.
Come Closer by Sara Gran
Is Amanda, a successful architect in a happy marriage, being possessed by a demon? I read this book with The Simpsons playing in the background because some scenes were so unnerving I needed a distraction. The possession test made the experience even more immersive—I couldn’t resist taking it myself.
The Magic Cottage by James Herbert
I own a very old thrifted paperback copy of this, and it remains one of my favorite book covers of all time. This novel has everything I love: a cottage in the middle of nowhere with mysterious powers, weird neighbors, and a couple slowly uncovering eerie secrets about their new home. Written like a dark fairy tale, my first read felt cozy, but a decade later, it unsettled me in ways I hadn’t expected. If you’re new to James Herbert’s work, this is a great starting point—then move on to Rats for a proper horror fix.
Haunted by Tamara Thorne
Baudey House… The scent of jasmine turning into decay… A place steeped in madness and murder. I first read this when I was young, and it has that fun, ’80s horror-movie vibe—perfect with a cold soda and lime on a hot summer day, preferably while lounging in a hammock.
Julia by Peter Straub
I never finished Ghost Story, despite its reputation, but when someone gifted me Julia, it completely changed my perception of Straub. Less terrifying and more mysterious, this novel follows Julia as she moves into a new house after losing her daughter—only to find that the house seems to be haunted. Apparently, it was adapted into a film starring Mia Farrow, but I always prefer the book.
The Grip of It by Jac Jemc
Julia and James move into a haunted house, and what follows is an intensely claustrophobic experience—perfect for a cold winter read. Though short, the book’s themes linger, especially its unsettling imagery surrounding mold, which haunted me long after I finished it. A literary take on the haunted house genre, and one I truly appreciated.
The Elementals by Michael McDowell
Just perfect. Three Victorian summerhouses, one of them filled with sand—acting as a portal to nightmares. When two families, the McCrays and the Savages, return after a funeral, all hell breaks loose. This is another Southern Gothic masterpiece, with an eerie atmosphere, lively dialogue, and moments so terrifying they kept me up at night. Highly recommended.
Bag of Bones by Stephen King
Not my favorite Stephen King novel, but definitely a standout in the haunted house genre. It follows an author battling writer’s block and hallucinations in a secluded lake house after his wife’s death. My old paperback is covered in underlined passages because I read this with a book club while living in Istanbul, and we all debated which scene was the creepiest. A solid ghost story from the master of horror.
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